Big Horn resorts for auction
Published May 24th, 2007
Four resorts in the Big Horn Mountains will be on the auction block at the end of June, and only one has a “reserve” price that must be met in order for it to sell. Deer Haven, Meadowlark and the Big Horn Ski Resort will all be sold to the highest bidder in a sealed auction, and the Wilderness Ranch will have a reserve.
The resorts can be purchased together or individually.
The impending auction was announced this week, the same time Wyoming’s Department of Environmental Quality cited owner Big Horn Mountain Resorts for wastewater violations at two of the resorts. Earlier this spring, employees videotaped sewage discharge into Ten Sleep Creek.
According to current owner of the resorts, the sale is being offered because of the need for money for other businesses. The auction-style sale gives a “time definite” when the properties will be sold, Big Horn Mountain Resorts representatives said via e-mail.
But the highest bidder will have to be approved by the U.S. Forest Service in order to take over the businesses.
Bill Bass, supervisor of the Bighorn National Forest, said agency policy dictates a new owner has to operate within forest permit regulations. Under those regulations, a new buyer has to show the Forest Service it has the business and technical capability to operate on Forest Service lands.
If the auction goes through and the highest bidder is not approved by the agency, any activity on the resorts would be considered trespassing, Bass said.
The June auction is being administered by Sheldon Good and Co., a Denver-based auction house. Bids are due June 26. The seller is offering financing to the winning bidder or bidders
